For a manufacturer of radios like Roberts to produce a Wi-Fi-enabled device shows just how far internet radio has come. About 6000 stations are now available, and radios are becoming increasingly adept at presenting this vast selection in an easy-to-access way.
As soon as the product comes out of the box you get the feeling that …

COMMENTS

Just one slight problem

I have found, and I'm probably not the only one, that with BTHomeHubs springing up like crazy around my home I can never get anything on my wireless network to connect to anything else, reagrdless of how a tweek it.

So before you go out and buy one check how many wirless networks you can see and their signal strengths.

If you live in a block of flats, or a street of terraced houses, don't be too surprised if you can't get a good connection with your base station.

Reciva based radio

Fiddling with your Wifi channel can make a big difference for that. I believe most UK ISP routers use channel 6, so moving to channel 1 or 11 might help. Some wifi applications tell you what channels are being used as part of the router scan which is helpful.

Thanks

Re: listen again

>>1) Does it do full "Aunties 7 Day listen again" - or just the live streaming of whats currently playing?

Judging by the Roberts web site, yes. I would hope so, given that my 50 quid Logik IR100, which uses the same Reciva chipset, does support 7 day listen again. Let us hope the BBC don't switch their 'radio' web output to Flashplayer, as I don't think these radios can cope with Flash :-((

Better solutions

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"The WM-201’s talents don't end with internet radio as it can also access and play any digital music files stored on a shared network or computer - including MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF and Real Audio files."

So, kinda like the old Netgear MP101 but at about four times the price (based on what I paid for mine on Fleabay ages ago). Roberts make some very nice kit, but sound quality alone doesn't justify the price tag. I rather like the look, too - wouldn't be too out of place sat on top of my amplifier.

OGG Playback ?

Money

A good wireless router costs $30. A sufficiently good radio, for what I want, at least, probably costs $20. That makes $50, which is what, like ₤20? Is there no hope of getting a low end version of one of these wifi radios?

Reciva?

Most Internet radios sold in the UK use the same engine - a linux based device made by Reciva. http://corporate.reciva.com/

The screen on this Roberts looks very like the one on my Logik IR100 which, on ebay cost me under £40. The main differences between the different Reciva models is the case, quality of audio amplifier and speakers, number of pre-sets and whether there is a hard-wired ethernet as well as wi-fi facility. But there are various enthusiasts' pages which show you how to add hard-wired ethernet and you can also feed to an external amplifier.

Nice idea, but...

Rather expensive. But the biggest worry I have with these devices is that they must be dependent somewhere on some service which tells it where the internet radio streams are to be found. If whoever runs that goes to the wall, what then? Sooner or later, any service like that will be obsolete.

Good

""1) Does it do full "Aunties 7 Day listen again" - or just the live streaming of whats currently playing?"

Yes, it does the BBC's Listen Again."

This means I shall be able to find out about Bovey Tracey's (Other Uk Locations are available) Latest "trash the house" parties at a more convienent time of Friday 10pm instead of 7pm. It'll make me feel like I am using a covert radio scanner to listen out for the latest police crimescene braodcasts - ala any american superhero crime fighting movie.

Quality

I've bought Roberts' equipment for years - analogue radios & digital radios. There are always cheaper alternatives, but I buy Roberts' because it has always been damn good quality. And please note, I don't work for them - I'm just a satisfied customer......

@JeffyPooh

Since Roberts are well known for their radios I'd hazard a guess they know more than just a little about the design. The single dial comes down to simplicity which is much better suited to mass market appeal.

Cheaper solutions

I like the idea of these internet radio boxes, but they're just too expensive. I found a much cheaper solution, a short-range FM transmitter for about 50 quid. I've got mine connected to the PC, can listen to anything, on any FM radio in the house (and about 200 feet around the house!) If these internet radio boxes were cheaper, I'd probably get one tomorrow